Rio Ferdinand Speaks On Returning To Manchester United

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is not ruling out a return to the club in a director of football capacity but wants assurances before committing to the role.

The 40-year-old spent 12 years of his playing career at Old Trafford, winning 14 trophies in total including six Premier League titles and the Champions League.

He has been identified as one of the frontrunners to become United’s first technical director, having already sat down with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward for an initial discussion.

The Red Devils are hoping to have the position filled before the start of the 2019-20 campaign, but Ferdinand has reservations over taking the job.

Although the one-time England international is interested in a return to United, he is unsure over the exact details of the role in question.

“It all depends on the shape of the job,” Ferdinand told the Telegraph. “I don’t think it’s all been outlined at Man United in terms of ‘that’s the job and this is the description’. I think there’s a lot to talk about within that.

“To be fair to Man United, in that kind of role, the responsibility that comes with that, you can’t lie and say that that’s not a turn-on.

“Because you are helping to shape the fortunes of a club of that stature. That’s a huge job.

“All the boxes would have to be ticked that you’ve got in your head before considering something like that.

“I think decisions made at a football club – not all (but) some of them – should come with a football thought process in the background somewhere, (someone) that understands that side of it and can make that kind of decision.”